Tag: haunted bookshop

It is that time of year again, and all thoughts turn to Cambridge (well mine do anyway). The PBFA Cambridge fair is set in the fabulous Guildhall. If you haven’t been, this is a lovely building, right in the centre of Cambridge, next to the market and all of the shops. Not that many of us will have much time for anything other than the books, with 75 dealers and some lovely food in the café.

You can find more information about the fair and get a ticket by clicking on the book picture here. Naturally, I wouldn’t let this opportunity pass without an interview with the lovely Sarah Key from the Haunted Bookshop who manages the fair with a tad of assistance from Phil Salin.

It is almost time, and I have been busy packing my stock ready for the Kensington fair this weekend. Why would anyone in their right mind head up to Kensington just before Christmas? Well the book fair is as fine an excuse as any! A last opportunity to bag a unique (or at least very hard to find) item for the one you love.

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Once you get a goodly gathering of PBFA dealers, add some authors presenting their works, a sprinkling of Small Press publishers and finish with poster and artwork sellers, then you have a mix to attract anyone (well, anyone with taste and a yearning for the finer things anyway!)

Whoever you are trying to purchase a gift for – there will be something available. Here is a selection that will be taken by PBFA dealers. Click on the pictures for more information. There is also a slide show at the bottom of the blog that has more images of these items.

Perhaps you are trying to inspire an appreciation of books in your grandchildren (or children) – You could do far worse than a first edition of “The Vicar of Nibbleswick” by Road Dahl, offered by Sarah Key (The Haunted Bookshop) . A fine first edition, with illustrations by Quentin Blake – it certainly is a nibble at only £20

Sarah is also offering some goodies at the other end of the scale. A lovely numbered, limited copy of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (number 916), with beautiful illustrations by Arthur Rackham. This will be presented for £2,995.

Somewhere in the middle, Black Cat Bookshop is bringing along a first edition of “The Lorax” by Dr Seuss, from 1972. A lovely clean tidy copy, in “unscribbled” condition, a bargain at £295.

For the travellers amongst you, there will be a wide variety of books, maps and items. John Underwood is presenting Peter Heylyn’s “COSMOGRAPHY IN FOUR BOOKS. Containing the Chorography and History of the whole WORLD and all the Principal Kingdoms, Provinces, Seas, and the Isles thereof” Printed in 1682, and boasting a beautiful hand coloured title page, this contains four folding maps. Complete, and potentially yours for £2,500

Adrian Harrington (newly of Tunbridge Wells) is bringing along an account of the voyages of Captain Cook. Written by John Hawksworth, “An Account of the voyages undertaken by the order of his present majesty for making discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere… “ together with a copy of Cook’s own “A Voyage towards the South Pole, and round the world.” and also containing Cook’s “A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean” Altogether, these fabulous books, make 9 volumes, all bound into a lovely matching set by the Chelsea bindery. Follow the photo link for a lengthy description of these books and their importance. This one only for the truly deserving! Yours for £25,000.

If you prefer your travel to be fantastical, then we (Harrison-Hiett) will be taking along a copy of Johann Baptist Homann’s “Accurata Utopiae Tabula”, a complete (if fictitious) map showing the allegorical isle of fools paradise or Pays de Cocaigne, printed and hand coloured in 1740. It includes the “Kingdom of Extravagance”, and “Empire of Fat Stomachs”, “Tobacco Island” and the “Land of Gluttony”. All surrounded by Seas of Drunkenness and Lust – when can I visit? find your own way there for £500

It isn’t just books that are available at the fair. If it is rare signatures that you are looking for, then consider White Eagle’s copy of “Tenzing After Everest” – Tenzing’s own account of the ascent of Everest, and signed by him to the front end paper. Available at £495.

You can also find some interesting London ephemera at the fair. Wool House Books are bringing along a Copper token engraved with the words Lyceum Strand London engraved below figure of a prancing horse with figure of Mercury on its back. Words engraved around edge: “The First Equestrian Performance in Europe.” Theatre tokens were issued by the London theatres to reserve seats or booths, and as commemorative items. This one offered at £95

Finally, Wool House are also bringing another piece of London ephemera – a lovely silk souvenir programme for a performance at Covent Garden June 23rd 1897. Silks were produced for a lasting souvenir in Victorian times, and this, to celebrate the Queen’s 60th anniversary as Queen, shows the program of the operatic performance at Covent Garden. Perfect for lovers of music, London or royal family history. Only £75

I hope you can make it to the fair to visit. If you do, come and say hello to us on stand 11 in the main hall. (If you don’t wish to speak to me, the lovely Marcia will be helping me for the day).